They’re there. Behind closed doors. Rarely seen or heard. But there and they need attention. Who? Isolated older adults. On Tuesday, May 12, Ohio announced the launch of a new program, Staying Connected, a free, daily check-in phone service for Ohioans age 60 or older. Its laudable goal is to ensure that Ohioans—especially those who...
Category: Advancing the Well-Being of Older Adults
April 24, 2020
COVID-19 and long-term care facilities, be kind
As Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Director of Public Health Dr. Amy Acton regularly remind us at their daily 2 p.m. briefings, the data about COVID-19 cases both in the community and in long-term care facilities is emerging and far from complete. As Dr. Acton is fond of saying, it’s really just the tip of...
March 31, 2020
Medicaid and COVID19: How to use Home & Community-Based Services waivers
Background Many of the 1.8 million older adults who live in Ohio will require long-term care as they age. The Administration of Community Living estimates 70 percent of those older than age 65 will require some type of long-term care as they age, and about 20 percent will need care for five years or more....
March 21, 2020
Preventing social isolation when the senior center closes
Governor Mike DeWine announced that all senior centers must close by the end of the day on Monday, March 23, 2020. Even before the official government decree, congregate meal sites for older adults across the state were transitioning from group meals within their facilities to meal delivery and meal pick-up. Governor Mike DeWine announced that...
February 18, 2020
How do we love thee?
December 2, 2019
Fact Sheet on Federal Proposal to Cut SNAP Benefit Levels in Ohio by Reducing the Standard Utility Allowance
By: Rachel Cahill Consultant for Cuyahoga County’s Benefits Access Partnership Background On October 3, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a proposed rule that would impose a standardized methodology for calculating the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) for SNAP.[1] The SUA plays an important role determining a household’s total shelter expenses, which in turn, significantly...
November 11, 2019
The Council on Older Persons advocates, leads on senior issues
The Council on Older Persons (COOP) has been a standing committee of The Center for Community Solutions for more than 70 years. As we look back at 2019, COOP continues to distinguish itself as a leading destination for information about senior issues, and a vocal advocate for local seniors. Under the leadership of outgoing COOP...
November 4, 2019
County council HHSA committee hears update as foster care costs soar
The October 16 meeting of the Cuyahoga County Health, Human Services and Aging committee saw presentations from two community organizations, and also considered several contracts, one of which expands the number of providers in the foster-care system. The number of children in foster care has soared to more than 2,900 children currently in out-of-home care,...
September 16, 2019
Many of Ohio’s older adults are actively engaged in the workforce
Earlier this summer, the Associated Press released a poll that showed 1 in 4 Americans do not plan to retire. This got me thinking about what older adults in Ohio are thinking about their own employment. Fortunately, we have some data about this very issue handy to look at. In the past four years, The Center...